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Formerly a PC-exclusive gamer, Kae was introduced to the tabletop world by gateway of the World of Warcraft TCG. Since then, her interests have broadened with her favorite games including Battlestar Galactica, Pathfinder, Lord of the Rings LCG, WarmaHordes, and more. Kae is willing to try just about any game and loves learning new strategy.

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Convention Housing – How Far Away Should You Stay?

Gen Con is wrapping up its block housing today, which gives convention attendees options as to where they can stay throughout the con. With any large event like that, the question that some people may have, especially if a first time con visit, is whether to stay in a hotel attached to the convention, or one that requires a little drive? For those still debating, here’s some things to consider.

Does your budget include gas and parking? If bringing some extra cash for gas and parking isn’t an issue, staying a bit further from your convention may be more reasonable. These hotels tend to be cheaper since they are farther, but at the cost of some driving. If you’re unfamiliar with the city you’ll be in, this may not be very appealing. This is obviously all personal preference.

Do you want to be in con-mode throughout the entire event? If you’ve no other distractions while at your event and don’t mind the full immersion of 24/7 convention life, an attached hotel might be a great fit for you. Some people like having a little distance from the convention, however, to relax and unwind after a long day of gaming and socializing, even if only for a few hours!

Where are your friends staying? It is obviously a good idea to be on the same page as your buddies if you’re rooming with others. Keep their considerations as far as con distance in mind, too. Does everyone have their own vehicles in case someone needs to run back to the room? No one wants to be stranded or made to leave the con when they don’t want to when someone needs a hotel-run.

These are obviously just a few thoughts to keep in mind when deciding how far away you want to stay from the con. Researching parking locations and prices is always recommended, as well. Personally, I like having a little bit of distance so that when I’m doing my writing, I’m not so easily distracted by knowing that the floor is only a short walk away. Besdies, we tend to find plenty of other gamers at our hotel that we can play games with in the lobby, and its a great way to make new friends.

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